Electronic States near the Fermi Level in the Antiferromagnetic and Ferromagnetic Spinels of Zn 1− x Cu x Cr 2 Se 4 ; 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0

Abstract

The electronic states of normal-type spinels in Zn 1 m x Cu x Cr 2 Se 4 have been studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy near the K-edge of Zn, Cu, Cr and Se ions. It is found that characteristic white lines occur near the X-ray absorption threshold for Zn and Se ions, but not for Cu and Cr ions. It is also found that the white lines show a slight energy shift, which depends on the Cu concentration. The energy shifts mean that Fermi level gradually approaches the top region of the valence band of Se 2 m , on increasing the Cu ions. The substitution of Zn 2+ with Cu 1+ ions increases the number of positive carriers, holes. The holes occupying the top region of the valence band strongly correlate with Cr 4+ , which forms an empty orbital in the 3d-band of Cr 3+ and exchanges the valence electrons with Cr 3+ . It is interpreted that the ferromagnetism in Zn 1 m x Cu x Cr 2 Se 4 is made by double-exchange interaction between Cr 3+ and Cr 4+ ions and that holes contribute to the electronic conductivity of Zn 1 m x Cu x Cr 2 Se 4 .

Keywords:

• Electronic State
• Zn 1− x Cu x Cr 2 Se 4
• Ferromagnetism